Karachi, March 10, 2026 – The benchmark KSE 100 Index recorded a massive rally on Tuesday, surging by nearly 9,700 points after Donald Trump hinted at a possible de-escalation of the Middle East conflict.
The bullish momentum lifted the benchmark index at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) as investor sentiment improved following Trump’s remarks suggesting the ongoing war in the Middle East could be “over soon.” The comments triggered optimism across global markets and encouraged aggressive buying at the local bourse.
By the close of trading, the KSE-100 Index climbed 9,696.98 points, or 6.62%, to settle at 156,177.12 points, compared with the previous close of 146,480.14 points.
KSE-100 Index Market Snapshot – March 10, 2026
| Market Indicator | Details |
| Market Status | Closed |
| Current Index | 156,177.12 |
| Change | +9,696.98 |
| Percent Change | +6.62% |
| Day’s High | 158,354.12 |
| Day’s Low | 155,294.65 |
| Volume | 289,651,984 shares |
| Previous Close | 146,480.14 |
| Traded Value | Rs27.41 billion |
Market Halt Triggered During Rally
The sharp surge in equities temporarily triggered a market halt under regulatory mechanisms at the Pakistan Stock Exchange. According to the exchange notification, trading in equity markets was suspended after the KSE-30 index rose more than 5% compared with the previous trading day’s closing level.
The notice stated:
“All TRE Certificate Holders are hereby informed that due to a 5% increase in the KSE-30 index from the previous trading day close, a Market Halt has been triggered as per PSX Regulations.”
Trading resumed later in the morning at 10:22 AM, allowing investors to continue transactions after the cooling-off period.
Global Markets React to Trump’s Speech
The surge in Pakistan’s equities mirrored a broader global trend. Asian stock markets rallied sharply, while oil prices dropped, as investors reacted positively to Trump’s suggestion that the Middle East conflict might soon wind down.
However, geopolitical tensions remained visible. In Iran, hardliners staged rallies backing Mojtaba Khamenei, signaling defiance amid escalating regional tensions.
Despite lingering uncertainty, investors at the Pakistan Stock Exchange welcomed the potential easing of geopolitical risks, pushing the KSE-100 index to one of its strongest single-day gains in recent months.